Harry Kewell ready to return from injury for Liverpool
TOM SMITHIES
October 10, 2007 10:35am
SOCCEROOS star Harry Kewell has some light at the end of the tunnel as he targets a return from a run of injuries since playing for Australia at the Asian Cup.
Interestingly, Kewell could be in line to make his Liverpool comeback a week on Saturday in the Merseyside derby against Everton - the same match fellow Australian Tim Cahill has earmarked for his return in Everton's colours.
Neither of the men has played this season since returning to their clubs after the Asian Cup - Cahill after breaking a metatarsal in pre-season and Kewell with a thigh injury.
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is anxious to have Kewell available again following this weekend's international break, particularly as the Reds' form has stalled in in recent weeks.
He only returned to Liverpool's side at the end of last season after recovering from career-threatening injuries suffered at the World Cup, though he came on as a substitute in the Champions League final against AC Milan.
He played more than expected at the Asian Cup, scoring Australia's fourth against Thailand.
Cahill, meanwhile, didn't start a game at the Asian Cup as he was recovering from a previous injury - though he scored the equaliser against Oman - and then snapped a bone in his foot during a season warm-up game for Everton.
"As soon as I had the problem in the Werder Bremen game I was looking at when I could get back," he told the Everton website.
"The first goal was the Uefa Cup games and then it was the derby.
"It is a brilliant game to play in and I have enjoyed some good times (in those games).
"As you get older and play more, I have to look after my body."
Meanwhile, the Socceroos could have one more international this year as Football Federation Australia looks to add a fixture in Europe in November.
It's believed the FFA are in negotiations with several opponents for a game they would ideally like to hold in the UK, probably at Loftus Road in west London.
The tie would be on one of the two FIFA dates in November, 17 or 21 - by which time they could have a new coach.
Dick Advocaat, the man ready to take the Socceroos reins, will see his tenure as coach of Russian side Zenit St Petersburg end the previous weekend with the climax of the Russian Premier League season on November 11.
Without him the FFA would have to decide whether to take Graham Arnold away from the Olyroos' final qualifier for the Beijing Olympics, in North Korea on November 21.
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/s...-12428,00.html
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